❤️🔥Listening to Desires❤️🔥
A note about times of transition, social media, and plans for the new year
Well here we are already: the end of December. A month of early sunsets and frigid temperatures. A month filled with twinkling lights and non-stop Christmas music. A month where we stayed home as often as possible, read Bible stories around the dinner table, mailed Christmas cards and packages, and occasionally even snuggled on the couch to watch a movie or two.
Advent seemed to creep along at a fairly steady pace. We celebrated not having to travel; but also cried when we couldn’t be present with family through some recent struggles. We went to church every Sunday—even on Christmas—and gave thanks for the God that is always with us. In the very best and in the very worst of times.
I planned on leaving the Christmas decorations up until after Epiphany, but in a fit of frustration over the puppy taking ornaments off the tree, I found a compromise. Yesterday, I took the big tree down, but left the tree we used for our Jesse tree ornaments. It’ll stay in its corner by our dining room table until January, reminding us of the story of God’s promises we read over the last month.
As we move forward from Christmas and into the new year, we find ourselves in a week of reflection and meditation on where we’ve been in 2022, and where we want to go in 2023. Last year, I discovered an amazing resource from Nicole Gulotta for a Writer’s Annual Review. If you’ve never done an annual review for your writing life, I highly recommend it. Heck, even if you aren’t a writer, this could be a good practice for any area of your life. I love a good resource on being intentional in reflection and setting goals. As I spent time reflecting on the last twelve months and dreaming about the next twelve, three things came to the forefront over and over again.
The in-person retreats I attended this year were defining moments for my life. I am in a place of transition. My kids are getting older and can be left unattended for some small chunks of time. Although we continue to homeschool, they are taking a few outside classes and are becoming more and more involved in their extra-curricular lives. This frees me up to explore my own desires—which is equal parts exhilarating and terrifying. The Glen and Craft & Revision offered me quiet space to listen to those desires and begin to live out a new phase in my life.
Second, social media sucks the life out of me. This isn’t new. In last year’s review, social media was at the top of the list of things that left me feeling drained. When I looked through old blog posts this year, I realized I’ve been struggling with social media for more than a decade. Over the years, I’ve tried to make it a fun, engaging corner of the internet, but it mostly just leaves me feeling empty. Rather than continuing to wrestle with something that empties my cup, it’s time to cut my ties and simply move on.
And third, the work I do here on Substack continues to be what sets my creative light on fire. Writing this monthly newsletter, Insider News, and Five Quick Things make me feel alive, free, and innately creative. I love sharing about things bringing me joy. Thinking about themes for each month’s newsletter makes my heart sing. Putting it all together is my very favorite part of each month.
With all of this in mind, I have made the decision to step back from social media. This will free up head and heart space for me to dedicate time to deeper, more meaningful writing, including more frequent posts on the blog as well as here on Substack. I will mourn the loss of feeling connected to people who live far away from me, but I’m hopeful that there will be new ways to connect in the coming months. Maybe I’ll even resurrect the art of letter writing.
I’m looking forward to writing more poetry, telling more stories, and making more art out of words.
Through the end of the year, you can get 15% off all upgrades to Annual Paid Subscriptions. If you are currently a free or monthly premium subscriber, this is a great way to save a little money and ensure you always have access to Five Quick Things, Insider News, special announcements, and all the Archives. Note: You must use this link to get the discounted price.
We had an unconventional Christmas dinner with Christmas Limas, Parmesan Polenta, and Sautéed Beet Greens with Mushrooms (Saute a shallot or onion in some olive oil, add some garlic and mushrooms, add some beet greens. Cook until the greens have wilted and the onions have slightly caramelized.) It was super simple and utterly delightful.
Hosting a New Year’s party? You should make this Buffalo Dip. It’s excellent with chicken, or roasted cauliflower or chickpeas for a vegetarian version. Don’t have any ranch? I didn’t either. I used 1/4 cup buttermilk, 1/4 cup mayo (Dukes!), and a tablespoon of some Penzeys ranch seasoning I found buried in the pantry. I also didn’t have blue cheese, so I used cheddar. We ate it on tortilla chips, pita chips, crackers, and stale toasted bread. It’s a total winner.
A new year means it’s the perfect time for Black Eyed Peas and Collard Greens! I’ll either make rice to go with them or I’ll make Parmesan Polenta again.
P.S. Did you know polenta and grits are basically the same thing? It’s true! I never buy anything called ‘polenta’ - I always buy these grits or this sampe (the New England term).
One daughter got me this journal for Christmas and the other daughter got me this one. It seems they want me to continue writing. I told them I’d do what I could to fill them before the year is over.
My husband and daughters teamed up to get me this gym bag, perfect for carrying my yoga mat, shower supplies, and picnic dinner. I go to yoga twice a week while the youngest is in gymnastics and always have multiple bags to carry all of my stuff, so this bag is going to be a lifesaver. My aunt also got me a simple yoga mat bag, which I am also excited about for those morning yoga classes I’ve been signing up for.
My mom sent me a couple of family heirlooms, which will always and forever be my favorite thing to receive. It’s so incredibly hard to live a thousand miles away from her. Holding on to things that have been passed down over the years makes them feel just the tiniest bit closer.
What were your favorite gifts this year?
My favorite day of every month is Book Club Day. At our annual holiday party, we compiled a list of our favorite books from the year. I love how varied the list always ends up being. It really gives a good glimpse of how diverse our reading personalities are. You can read more about each book or grab your own copy here (affiliate link.)
While I am stepping away from social media, my friend Kelli is going all in with hosting our book club Instagram. She’s a fabulous Instagrammer. If you’re hanging out over there and like books, you might want to check it out.
2022 was the year I fell head over heels for Spotify. According to my “Wrapped” report, I have an eclectic taste in music and will listen to just about anything. I went through my most played tunes of the year and created a playlist of my favorites. I hope you enjoy!
I’d love to hear from you: What were some of your favorite tunes this year?
My friend Rachel wrote a stunning essay about The Secret Garden, gardening, mothering, and so much more.
These ‘Luddite’ teenagers inspired me to give up social media and quit worrying about how readers will find me. They are intelligent and bold and brave and I want to be like them when I grow up. (gifted article)
This article about Same sex marriage and religious freedom gives us a lot to think about.
Did you see Where We Read in November?
I recently discovered Farmer-ish, an online journal comprised of so many things I've been learning and writing for the last twelve years of my life. Last week, my Gramma’s Swedish Tea Ring recipe was featured in their latest issue: Winter Solstice.
May you be filled with the wonder of Mary,
the obedience of Joseph,
the joy of the angels,
the eagerness of the shepherds,
and the everlasting peace of Jesus who is Savior, Christ, and Lord.
Until next month,
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